| Lock puzzles are puzzles consisting of a lock with unusual or hidden mechanics. Such locks are sometimes called trick locks, because opening them is like
performing a magic trick. A matching key may or may not be used in this
trick.
Lock puzzles have a long history. Chinese jewelry boxes often contain trick locks and hidden drawers. An example of such a box
is an integral part of the plot of the movie Shanghai
Knights. Clive Barker has written a number of horror stories
(including The Hellbound Heart, which was made into
the movie Hellraiser) centered around Lemarchand's Box which appears to be such a puzzle box but in fact opens the gates to Hell when manipulated.
Other lock puzzles stem from the necessity to invent secure locks in the Middle Ages.
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